The Commission for the Environment, Climate Change and Energy of the Committee of the Regions (CoR) has underlined the importance of ocean energy to meeting the future energy needs of the European Union. In a draft opinion published at the end of June, the Committee welcomed the inclusion of ocean energy as one of the five priority areas of the Blue Growth Strategy.

Commenting on the report, Ocean Energy Europe CEO Rémi Gruet said that the ocean energy industry welcomed the report from the Committee of the Regions, and recognised the strong leadership Europe’s regions have shown in driving the sector forward. “With the resource anchored at regional level, ocean energy developments will mean fresh economic activity for existing port infrastructures and maritime supply chains,” Gruet said.

The report cited estimates from the European Ocean Energy Roadmap 2010-2050, according to which up to half a million jobs could be created in the EU by 2050, with 26,000 direct jobs by 2020. According to the Roadmap, ocean energy could satisfy 10 to 15% of EU power demand in 2050 (some estimates suggest 100 GW¹ ), powering 115 million homes. Furthermore, switching to ocean energy could see reductions in CO₂ emissions of 2.61 million tonnes by 2020 and 136.3 million tonnes by 2050.

Providing an analysis of the ocean energy industry, the report highlights Europe’s global leadership in the sector and the benefits in terms of industrial growth, jobs and exports. At the same time it underlines both the pivotal role of the EU in pushing the development of the sector and the significant potential that could be unlocked through exploiting synergies between regions, Member States and the EU itself.

“With 100GW of installed capacity by 2050, the ocean energy industry can make a major contribution to Europe’s energy security and decarbonisation goals. This report is particularly timely and correctly identifies the key actions for Europe to maintain its global dominance and benefit from the growth of ocean energy around the world,” Gruet said.

The report also supports the European Commission’s Ocean Energy Forum initiative, assigned to draft an industry roadmap by September this year. The final roadmap will be presented to European Ministers during a summit on ocean energy in Dublin, on 20 October 2015.

To read the report, click here.

For more information:
http://www.oceanenergy-europe.eu/index.php/communication/press-corner/364-press-release-european-regions-lead-the-charge-on-ocean-energy

¹SI Ocean project